This account is pending registration confirmation. Please click on the link within the confirmation email previously sent you to complete registration.Need a new registration confirmation email? Click here

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2012 Results

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. (Susquehanna) (NASDAQ: SUSQ) today announced net income applicable to common shareholders for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012 of $23.5 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income applicable to common shareholders of $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2011, or $0.08 per diluted share.

“Following the successful completion of the Tower Bancorp, Inc. acquisition in the middle of the first quarter, our energies are focused on executing our relationship-based community banking strategy,” stated William J. Reuter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased with the significant progress made during the first quarter toward achieving our strategic objectives for 2012, including continuing our strong progress in improving credit quality; successfully integrating the team and operations from Tower Bancorp; growing loans, deposits and revenues; and increasing profitability and shareholder dividends.”

First Quarter Financial Results:

Loans and leases, net of unearned income, increased 30.3% from March 31, 2011 to $12.5 billion at March 31, 2012.

Growth in loans and leases consisted of:

$633.7 million acquired through the acquisition of Abington Bancorp, Inc.;

$2.0 billion acquired through the Tower acquisition; and

$323.2 million of internally-generated loan growth, resulting in internal growth in loans and leases of 3.4% for the trailing four quarters.

Net interest margin increased 31 basis points to 3.94% compared to 3.63% for the first quarter of 2011, driven by the balance sheet restructuring in the fourth quarter, purchase accounting in connection with the Tower acquisition, the addition of the Tower deposit and loan portfolios and continued core reduction in funding costs at Susquehanna.

Non-core items for the first quarter of 2012 were after-tax merger related expenses of $7.9 million.

The efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2012 improved to 61.39% from 65.28% in the first quarter of 2011, in each case calculated after excluding pre-tax merger related expenses.

First Quarter Financial Results (Continued):

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was 0.44% compared to 1.42% for the first quarter of 2011. Non-performing assets as a percentage of loans, leases and foreclosed real estate was 1.35% at March 31, 2012 compared to 2.49% at March 31, 2011. The provision for loan losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was $19.0 million, compared to $35.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The allowance for loan and leases losses was $194.7 million at March 31, 2012, representing 1.56% of total loans and leases and 146% of nonaccrual loans and leases, compared to $193.2 million at March 31, 2011, representing 2.01% of total loans and leases and 91% of nonaccrual loans and leases.

Return on average assets and average tangible equity (1) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012 finished at 0.58% and 8.36%, respectively. This compared to results of 0.28% and 4.86% for the same measurements, respectively, for the first quarter of 2011.

Susquehanna’s regulatory capital ratios are as follows:

At March 31, 2012

Preliminary Minimum

Basel III Requirements

Tangible Common Ratio (2)

7.65%

N/A

Tier 1 Common Ratio

9.96%

7.0 %

Leverage Ratio

10.74%

4.0 %

Tier 1 Capital Ratio

12.47%

8.5 %

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio

14.45%

10.5 %

(1) A non-GAAP-based financial measure. The most comparable GAAP-based measurement for return on average tangible equity is return on average equity. A reconciliation of the differences between non-GAAP-based and GAAP-based measurements can be found at the end of this release under the heading "Supplemental Reporting of Non-GAAP-Based Financial Measures."

(2) Includes deferred tax liability associated with intangibles of $50.0 million

Linked Quarter Results (First Quarter 2012 vs. Fourth Quarter 2011)

Loans and leases, net of unearned income, increased 19.8% from December 31, 2011 to $12.5 billion at March 31, 2012.

Growth in loans and leases consisted of:

$2.0 billion acquired through the Tower acquisition; and

$117 million of internally generated loan growth, resulting in internal growth in loans and leases of 1.1% for the quarter.

Commercial loans increased 11.6% from December 31, 2011, or 4.3% if the acquired Tower loans are excluded.

Real estate construction loans increased 19.9% from December 31, 2011, or declined 5.4% if the acquired Tower loans are excluded.

Consumer loans increased 7.4% from December 31, 2011, or 5.5% if the acquired Tower loans are excluded.

Leases increased 2.8% from December 31, 2011.

Total deposits increased 22.1% from December 31, 2011 to $12.6 billion at March 31, 2012.

Growth in total deposits consisted of:

$2.0 billion of deposits assumed in the Tower acquisition; and

$241.6 million of organic deposit growth, resulting in organic deposit growth of 2.3% for the quarter.

Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased 24.1% from December 31, 2011, or 0.8% if the Tower deposits are excluded.

Interest-bearing demand deposits increased 23.8% from December 31, 2011, or 4.2% if the Tower deposits are excluded.

Savings deposits increased 16.0% from December 31, 2011, or 3.8% if the Tower deposits are excluded.

Time deposits increased 20.5% from December 31, 2011, or 0.3% excluding the Tower deposits.

Net interest margin increased 35 basis points to 3.94% compared to 3.59% for the fourth quarter of 2011, driven by the balance sheet restructuring in the fourth quarter, purchase accounting in connection with the Tower acquisition, the addition of the Tower deposit and loan portfolios and continued core reduction in funding costs at Susquehanna.

The efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2012 improved to 61.39% from 66.34% for the fourth quarter of 2011, in each case calculated after excluding pre-tax merger related income and expenses.

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was 0.44% compared to 0.95% for the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-performing assets as a percentage of loans, leases and foreclosed real estate owned decreased 53 basis points from December 31, 2011 to 1.35% at March 31, 2012.

Additional Events:

On February 17, 2012, Susquehanna completed the acquisition of Tower Bancorp, Inc., creating Pennsylvania’s largest community bank and expanding Susquehanna’s branch network into State College and Fulton and Lebanon counties in Pennsylvania, in addition to enhancing Susquehanna’s existing presence in key markets in central and southeastern Pennsylvania as well as Maryland. In connection with the merger, Andrew Samuel, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tower, assumed the role of President and Chief Revenue Officer of Susquehanna.

On April 18, 2012, Susquehanna’s Board of Directors declared a second quarter dividend of $0.05 per common share, payable May 18, 2012 to shareholders of record as of May 1, 2012. This represents a $0.02 increase from the first quarter dividend of $0.03 per share.

Susquehanna will broadcast its first quarter 2012 results conference call over the Internet on April 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. The conference call will include management’s discussion of first quarter 2012 results. The discussion may also include forward-looking information and financial goals, including updates of previously disclosed financial goals. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call through a live broadcast on Susquehanna’s Web site. The event may be accessed by selecting "Investor Relations" near the top right of the home page then “Overview” and clicking on the first quarter webcast link. To listen to the live call, please go to the Web site at least fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start time to download and install any necessary audio software. For those who are unable to listen to the live broadcast, an archived replay and podcast will be available on the Web site shortly after the call concludes.